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Monday, April 2, 2012

No-Bake Energy Bites

I ran the Cherry Blossom 10-miler here in DC yesterday and all I can say is...I finished.

Sure, I had been training. Running, lifting weights and doing different types of cardio six times per week. Waking up early to get my long runs in before the day started. Watching what I ate so it would be easier for me to build up my stamina. Taking care of my knees so they wouldn't start throbbing like usual. Needless to say, it definitely didn't make me any less sore or tired afterwards. The course was pretty easy, the weather was perfect, and I felt good during the race and immediately after, but no one warns you about how you'll feel the rest of the day.

My body felt like it was hit by a bus.

I ran track for one season in high school and I was a sprinter. Nothing has changed since now and then. I hated long distance runs then, and I can't say I'm a fan of them now. Plus, this means I don't know how to pace myself. I felt like I sprinted the entire thing and since I'm also very competitive (bad combo) I didn't want people passing me and felt good about myself when I passed other runners. So I kept doing it. This is okay for the first 5 miles or so, but after a while it catches up to you.

I'm proud to say I successfully completed the race (and with a pretty good time, might I add--86 minutes!), but I just don't get how people do these long distance races "for fun." I checked this one off of my bucket list and I'm proud of myself for sticking to it. I was was so hyped up after I finished and was telling everyone I was on my way to trying out my first half marathon, but it looks like 5-10k's are my calling and I'm okay with that.

Before the race, I knew I needed to eat something that would give me energy, but not drag me down. Since the race started at 7:30am, it needed to be something small that wouldn't just be sitting in my stomach the whole time. These little energy bites were the perfect addition to my banana since they are packed with nuts and peanut butter...the perfect components to give me a little boost before the race. They're also pretty tasty, which doesn't hurt. They'd be a great pick-me-up during the work day as well. Enjoy!

Pour nuts into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until nuts turn into a coarse meal. Pour in cocoa powder, oil, milk and almond butter. Continue pulsing until a very thick mixture forms. Add additional oil and/or milk if it is not sticking together. Once you have a thick paste, scoop into small balls. Roll in shredded coconut, cocoa powder or chopped nuts. Store in an air tight container until ready to eat.